The GMC Savana is a favorite of small business owners and working people everywhere. No
pickup or
SUV can match the Savana's cargo hauling capabilities, nor can they be so easily retrofitted to serve specific needs. Be it a rolling carpenter shop or a 15-passenger transport, the Savana serves an important role in an ever more mobile society. GMC, however, can no longer afford to be complacent, now that Dodge has dropped its long-running Ram
van and replaced it with a diesel-powered European model known as the Sprinter. An excellent work truck, the Sprinter cannot rival the Savana in the luxury conversion van field, although rival Ford offers a full-size van that can go toe-to-toe with the Savana.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you have a business and need a substantial amount of room for tools or storage, the Savana is hard to top. A choice of two powerful V8 engines on passenger models, a Duramax diesel on certain cargo vans, varied towing ability and optional all-wheel drive make the Savana a suitable choice for business and family use.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you are used to driving a minivan, the Savana may prove to be too much vehicle. The V8 can be fuel-thirsty, especially when the vehicle is loaded with passengers or heavy equipment. Newer vans, such as Dodge's diesel-powered Sprinter, make better use of their interior space.

What's New for 2007

The 1500 Passenger
Van now has a 5.3-liter V8 as standard equipment. Customers can order a FlexFuel version of the 5.3-liter engine, allowing it to run on either gasoline or E85.

Driving the Savana 1500 Cargo

Driving Impressions

Although hardly the vehicle you'd want for running laps at the race track, the big Savana is not as truck-like to drive as one might expect. GM has paid due...

... diligence to the steering and brakes, giving them a firm feel that instills confidence even when fully loaded. Cornering and braking do differ depending upon cargo weight, but with the heavy-duty upgrades for the brakes, transmission and suspension, the Savana can be outfitted to deal with the heaviest loads and still remain quite comfortable.

Favorite Features

Side-Access Doors
Side-access doors allow you to reach tools and equipment without having to climb inside.

Seats 15
Available seating for 15 makes the Savana one of the most desirable commuter vehicles on the road.

2007 GMC Savana 1500 Cargo Details

Interior

Last year, the Savana's interior makeover gained it a new headliner, new door panels, new dash, plush carpets, a new engine cover and new fabrics for the seats. The Savana's vast interior can be configured to seat up to 15 people, or it can be outfitted to provide storage racks suitable for holding equipment and hardware. On Passenger models, the big glass side panels make it easy to see what's around you, and their deep tint keeps prying eyes away. A Fuel-Operated Heater (FOH) is available for the first time on models equipped with the Duramax diesel. The FOH system rapidly heats the vehicle's interior when the weather turns cold.

Exterior

The Savana is about as contemporary as a rolling box can be. It features rounded edges, high-mounted side taillights and flush side-glass. Large side mirrors aid in parking and lane-change maneuvers and the tall side glass makes it easy to see vehicles traveling close by. Cargo vans can be equipped with small doors for accessing interior storage compartments and there are a number of rear-door configurations from which to choose, including the industry's first 60/40-split left-hand hinged side door.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The Savana 1500 Cargo Van has a 195-horsepower V6 engine, while the 1500 Passenger Van is fitted with a 5.3-liter V8. Other standard features include air conditioning, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), swing-out side doors, dual side mirrors, eight-person seating and a 6,300-pound tow rating.

Optional Equipment

The Savana can be equipped with a number of engine options including a 5.3-liter V8 (standard with all-wheel drive and on Passenger Vans), a 6.0-liter V8, a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8 and a FlexFuel 5.3-liter V8. Other popular options include all-wheel drive, a cold-climate package, tow package, dual heated power mirrors, power windows, six-way power driver's seat, rear air conditioning, auxiliary-transmission oil cooler and aluminum wheels. The Pro Plus Package includes additional interior lights, side access panels with remote release, heated power side mirrors and keyless entry.

Under the Hood

Power for the Savana is given a promotion with a series of new Vortec V8 engines. Buyers who must haul heavy loads will probably opt for the new Vortec 5300 with its 295 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. For the larger 3500 series, a potent Vortec 6000 offers customers the most powerful V8 engine in its class. Also available later in the model year will be a FlexFuel 5.3-liter V8 capable of running on either gasoline or E85.